Air Force Village apprenticeship program wins award

An Air Force Village health-support-specialists apprentice program has won an award from the Texas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

Air Force Village, a San Antonio non-profit retirement community for career officers from all branches of the military, was honored for a program started last year with a grant from the Labor Department.

Eligible Air Force Village employees have the opportunity to improve their skills and advance their careers through an online college apprenticeship program and an in-house class taught by the retirement community’s health care professionals.

The 21 employees who completed the program have earned promotions, pay increases and college credits. Some have experienced wage increases of as much as 40 percent for earning certification as a health-support specialist.

Air Force Village has two locations in San Antonio, 4917 Ravenswood Drive and 5100 John D. Ryan Blvd.

The Texas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging is a not-for-profit corporation that provides advocacy and education for retirement-housing and nursing-home communities.